Aberrant Prose

Looking back, looking forward

Forty-five days into the New Year and at last—here is my look back on 2008, a summary of what our year was like, what we did, where we went, experiences we had and all that jazz. This is also a look into what the future holds, even beyond 2009.

Considering Kathy and Tim live over 400 miles away, we were able to see a lot of them and their little ones, Rylan and Aubrey, in 2008.

After Kathy and Tim’s announcement Christmas of 2007 to tell us a little girl was on the way, Robert and I began to make plans to head to Southern California to help convert their office into a nursery for Aubrey’s arrival. We made our trip late February, early March. While Robert and Tim converted the office by building a wall, a closet and adding a door, Kathy, Rylan and I worked on perfecting butterflies and dragonflies to paint on the walls of the new nursery.

Our trip wasn’t just about the nursery. Before the remodel we rendezvoused with the Pines to spend a few days in the mountains at their cabin. Robert and Tim skied three days. I skied one day. That was enough for me.

In May Robert and I returned to Southern California to welcome Aubrey into the world. We saw and held her within hours of her arrival!

Aubrey was a much easier baby right from the start. Of course we were all more relaxed this second time around. Kathy and Tim were not nearly as weary as they were when Rylan arrived.

We stayed a week to help. We also dedicated one full day to enjoy Knott’s Berry Farm with Rylan. Another day we took him on a shopping trip for Matchbox cars then treated him (and us) to ice cream.

The next time we saw the Pines was in July. They drove up to meet us at Chris’ house which worked out to be a convenient rendezvous in that we rented an RV in the Sacramento area. We left our cars at Chris’ then drove the RV up to Oregon, camping along the way. Our destination was the Ellingson Ranch in Mapleton where the 2008 annual PEAR* Affair was hosted by the Ellingsons. The Ellingson event was in honor of 100 years the ranch has been in the family.

What a gala event that reunion turned out to be! There were five days of games and outings galore and meals served in a huge pole barn. There was Contra dancing and a day of canoeing and boating on a lake. Over 130 people attended!

The RV worked out very nicely. The Pines basically used it for their home base once we arrived at the Ranch. There were even hook-ups available! Robert and I put up a tent nearby to use as our home base. Both Sadie (the Pines’ dog) and Paris (our dog) had an absolute grand time running all over the acres of field nestled in the midst of deep, green forest. Dakota, our younger dog, missed out on all the fun. We chose to leave her in California at Chris’ house.

In October Kathy hopped on a plane with Rylan and Aubrey to fly to Napa to spend a week relaxing in the country. What a special treat for us! Kathy too, it was an opportunity for her to unwind while she enjoyed extra hands to take care of and entertain her little ones.

For Thanksgiving, Robert, Chris, and I drove south to spend a few days with the Pines. Paris and Dakota stayed in a kennel. Chris’ dog, Seven, enjoyed coming along to play with Sadie. Taking his car, Chris drove the entire way down and back—very much appreciated by Robert and I! Tim and Kathy fixed a special Thanksgiving dinner for all of us. Before heading home we helped Tim, Kathy, and Rylan put up their outdoor Christmas lights and decorations.

In December all the Pines (including Sadie) drove up to Northern California to spend a week at our house to celebrate Christmas. Nothing compares to having little ones around in the midst of Christmastime cheer.

Of course our year wasn’t just about seeing our kids and grandkids.

In March and April Robert built an agility course in our field.

In June there was a baby shower for Gary’s wife, Fely. Gary (Robert’s brother) and Fely welcomed a real cutie, Briana, into the world on August 7, 2008. Briana is Robert’s Mom’s 7th grandchild, born 18 years after her 6th grandchild!

On the Fourth of July we enjoyed Chris’ annual barbecue and fireworks show at his house.

In August we had a pool party. This is noteworthy because it had been two years since our last one.

In September I hopped on a plane to fly north to celebrate my Mom’s 80th birthday. There were Kewpie decorations to make, party items and food to shop for, special photos to organize for display, tea pots and cups to unpack, silver to polish, a cake to pick up—all resulting in a very delightful birthday party at the Sons of Norway hall reserved ahead of time by my Mom. My sisters, Donna and Bonnie, showed up early to bring a variety of special dishes, flowers for centerpieces and to help with setup. Bonnie’s daughter, Nissa, and her husband, Tristan, also were a big help decorating the hall for the party!

In October Chris built a shed in his yard with Robert’s help.

And that is pretty much how 2008 played out.

Looking ahead to 2009: we will be downsizing our business giving us more time to enjoy our family. I will be drawing social security. I will write more, sew more, and walk more.

Looking beyond 2009, after we have totally disbanded our business, I visualize missions overseas, illustrating children’s’ books, volunteering in schools, competing in agility and rally trials, going on cruises, writing books, running long distance foot races, and/or teaching computer graphics—and of course spending lots of time with our kids and grandkids.

*PEAR: Puckett Ellingson Annual Reunion aka Puckett Ellingson And Relations

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